Another Year of Fishing Wraps Up—And I Swapped Freshwater for Saltwater!
Hey fellow anglers, what’s going on? Can you believe how fast this year flew by? We’re already at the end of the year, which means it’s time for my annual fishing roundup. Let me tell you, this year’s freshwater wild fishing was a total letdown. I barely had any days where I felt like I truly “got my fix,” and most trips left me staring at an empty bucket more often than not. So, I hung up my freshwater rod way earlier than usual, thinking my fishing days for the year were done. Little did I know, my buddy Brother Liu was about to drag me into a whole new world of saltwater fishing!
Since I called it quits on freshwater, I’ve joined Brother Liu on three sea bass fishing trips out on the ocean. The first one? Total skunk. Not a single bite, just cold wind and boredom. The second trip was a tiny win—we landed three sea bass between us. But let me tell you about the third trip: we hit the jackpot. I ended up catching 20 sea bass and took home the “sea champion” title! I was too lazy to post about it right after, but since I’m doing my year-end wrap-up, I figured this epic (and slightly chaotic) trip deserves its own spotlight.
My Saltwater Fishing Debut: I Showed Up with Nothing but a Positive Attitude
Full disclosure: I was a complete saltwater fishing newbie. I didn’t have any gear, didn’t know the first thing about sea bass behavior, and honestly, I was just along for the ride. But Brother Liu had my back—he brought all the gear, the sandworms for bait, and basically acted as my personal saltwater fishing guide. I was just his little sidekick, ready to learn (and maybe mess up a little).
When we got to the fishing spot, it was pitch-black outside. I couldn’t see a thing, so trying to take photos was useless. We just got straight to setting up. Brother Liu kept talking about “the window” for sea bass, but I had no clue what he meant. I was too nervous to ask—like, what if it was a super basic term that every angler should know? So I just nodded along and pretended I understood.
Brother Liu Crashed, But I Stayed Up (And Got Lucky)
After a few hours of nothing but casts into the dark, Brother Liu decided to wait for the early morning window in the truck. He was wiped out, but me? I was hooked on this saltwater thing. Even with no bites, I was having fun just messing around with the rod and feeling the ocean waves. Turns out, that was a good call—because I ended up hooking a straggler sea bass all on my own! That was my first ever saltwater fish, and I was pumped beyond belief.
By 3 a.m., I’d only caught two sea bass, but I was already exhausted. It was freezing cold out there, and I was starting to lose steam. So, I did what any self-respecting tired angler would do: I broke out a bottle of liquor. I figured it would keep me warm and pass the time. So there I was, sitting alone on the boat, drinking, scrolling on my phone, and occasionally casting my rod. At one point, I just threw the rod out, set it on the deck, and forgot about it. I was singing that silly song “I’m drunk alone, teasing the sea bass”—but let’s be real, the sea bass were the ones teasing me. The bite was so slow, I felt like I was the one being toyed with.
The Early Morning Window Hits—And I’m Drunk, But Unstoppable
Just when I was about to pass out from a mix of alcohol and exhaustion, the early morning fishing window finally arrived. I was so tipsy I could barely stand up, swaying back and forth with the boat. But let me tell you, that buzz somehow turned me into a saltwater fishing pro—at least in my head. I couldn’t even keep my eyes open, so I didn’t bother watching the electronic bobber. I just cast the line out, reeled it in slow, and relied entirely on feel.
Sea bass have such a aggressive bite—one second the rod was still, the next the tip snapped down hard. I jerked the rod to set the hook and reeled as fast as I could. That feeling? It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced when I was fishing sober. I felt like a total fishing legend, even though I still couldn’t tie a proper saltwater rig to save my life.
By 8 a.m., we called it quits. I was so drunk and tired that I climbed into Brother Liu’s truck and passed out immediately. I vaguely remember him driving me around while he took care of a few errands, but I was out cold the whole time until we got to his house.
The Post-Trip Feast: Freshly Steamed Sea Bass Hits Different
Once we got to Brother Liu’s place, he cooked up his 10 sea bass by steaming them. Let me tell you, there’s nothing better than fresh, just-caught sea bass. We devoured the whole batch in no time—no leftovers, no regrets. I took my 20 sea bass home to enjoy over the next few days, and every bite was a reminder of that chaotic, drunk, amazing fishing trip.
The Chaotic Details I Almost Forgot (And a PSA)
Wait, I should explain why I was so drunk earlier. Like I said, it was freezing cold out on the boat, and I was bored out of my mind with the slow bite. So I brought a bottle of liquor to keep warm. I was drinking, scrolling through my phone, and fishing all at the same time. Eventually, I got so lazy that I’d cast the rod out, set it on the deck, and go back to my phone. I was truly living the “drunk angler” life, singing silly songs and pretending the sea bass were playing a game with me.
Quick PSA: I’m an adult, and I made sure I was safe while drinking on the boat (plus, I wasn’t driving afterward). If you’re a kid or teen, do not drink and fish. Stick to hot cocoa or soda to stay warm, okay?
Oh, and Brother Liu took a video of me being a drunk, swaying angler and posted it on TikTok. I’m in the video, looking like a total mess but having the time of my life. I guess that’s just part of the fishing experience, right?
Another fun fact: I don’t drink liquor usually, but that night I went through an entire bottle over six hours. My tolerance must have skyrocketed because I was still standing (barely) and catching fish. Who knew alcohol could be my secret fishing weapon?
What I Learned (And What I’m Planning for Next Year)
I know I didn’t talk much about gear, rigs, or hooks—and that’s because I still don’t know anything about them. Every trip, I just used whatever gear Brother Liu set up for me. I didn’t ask questions because I was too embarrassed to admit how little I knew. But now, I’m hooked on saltwater fishing, so I’ve been doing my research. I’ve already added a full set of saltwater fishing gear to my shopping cart, and I can’t wait until spring when I can buy it and start practicing on my own.
To all my fellow freshwater anglers who’ve had a rough year like me: don’t give up. Sometimes you just need to switch up your scenery and try something new. I never thought I’d be a saltwater angler, but now I’m counting down the days until my next trip out on the ocean. And if you’re lucky enough to have a buddy like Brother Liu who’s willing to teach you, take that opportunity—you never know when you’ll catch your first limit of sea bass (even if you’re drunk while doing it).
